{DIY} Slip Extender & other 3 ways to lengthen a Dress / Skirt

I never have the problem of a skirt or dress going short on me – Don’t know why. Is it because I won’t grow anymore, that I am permanently short like forever. Duh.

But the problem of skirts and dresses going shorter is a very often seen phenomenon in our home – due to the fact that I have two girls growing up. You cannot let beautiful skirts and dresses unworn just because they have rising hemlines. What do I have the sewing machine for.

Basically the solution is to add fabric below the hemlines. Checkout the 4 easy ways to lengthen the skirts/ dresses.

Cut out lace fabric – Measure the length from your midthigh to the length you want the skirt hem to be at. This plus 1″ is the width of the lace you need for the skirt extender slip. Length – 2 * bottom hem of slip you have made

Make the half slip in a mid thigh length and then add a piece of gathered lace. Gather the lace piece to fit the bottom hem of the slip + 1″ ( seam allowance).Start pinning this piece from the back of the slip. Then pin it all around the bottom edge and when you reach the starting again, overlap by 1/2 inch and pin. Unpin this area and join the lace pieces by stitching together with 1/2 inch seam allowance. Stitch the lace to the skirt hem along the hem line

This slip maynot be useful with a flared skirt as it will look separate unless you make the slip also as flared.

3 Add a band with the same fabric or a contrasting fabric

This refers to a folded band which is attached to the hem. It is attached the same way that we attach bias binding.

To make this band you will need a piece of fabric which has a width double the extra length you need for the skirt / dress + 1″ seam allowance. Fold the fabric so that one side is 1/4 inch wider just as we fold bias tape. First attach the top edge , fold the piece and bring the other edge to the back . Top stitch ( ditch stitch) from the top so that you catch the other edge in the back

This can be done in a single layer as well if you donot have enough fabric for a double fold. Though I feel double fold look better than the single layered band, if you make it in a complimenting colour it can add to the beauty of a dress/ skirt

4. Fabric band attached above hem

Sometimes you have a great hem like a scalloped hem or an embroidered which you donot want to sew on or cut off, but still you can add length to this dress/ skirt .

The easy solution is to cut the garment some 4 inch up from the hem ( or however much is needed to preserve the hem intact) and add the extra piece of width is 1 inch + whatever extra length you need ( which is sewn into a band by joining the short edges together) in between the cut edges, with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. I would think a lace fabric would look excellent when sewn like this.